listen – a poem

Listen

can you hear
the dark twinge
the deep breath
the downward inflection
as he says
‘I’m fine.’?

do you notice
the fidgeting hands
the forlorn sigh
the forced confidence
as she says
‘it doesn’t matter.’?

do you speak
shouting volumes
supplanting silence
with silly stories
when they ask
‘how about you?’

Vandusen Garden. Image by Heather Button

poetic asides

For this week’s prompt, write a listening poem. You can be listening to the wind or the congested traffic of New York City or the waves at a beach or the long story of a friend or anything really. You listen (or remember or imagine something you’ve heard) and then write a poem. – Robert Lee Brewer

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Have you ever heard something in a conversation that someone was trying to hide? You can comment below, or find me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Plus, sign up for free e-mail updates from this blog in the top right-hand corner of the page.